[navi]

Hey everyone

I have a lite audio non-oversampling DAC- I want to try a new op-amp (single) in it.
Anyone recommend  op-amps I should try?

Ivan.

[Audiovista]

Hi Ivan,

You are in for a wild ride....there are quite a few good old and new op-amps from Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, National Semiconductor.....

Good start would be to browse through few datasheets and decide if you want to go for a super low noise, super fast response or super low distortion....and, of course, something that is pin-to-pin compatible with the op amp in your DAC.

Enjoy

Boris

[navi]

Boris,

which one do you recommend....? I'm not overly excited about trying every bloody op-amp out there.

I want something to replace the AD847JN currently in use

I did have the Burson HDAM in there but they are too big to fit in the case.

[tanchiro58]

I am also in the way to look for a better single op-amps to replace the single op-amp NE5534s in my Promitheus DAC.

Navi,

What is a Burson HDAM? Is this the same as Burson Discrete op-amps or else? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Tan

[navi]

I am also in the way to look for a better single op-amps to replace the single op-amp NE5534s in my Promitheus DAC.

Navi,

What is a Burson HDAM? Is this the same as Burson Discrete op-amps or else? Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Tan

Hey Tan

it's the same thing. I was using it for a while in my DAC - it sounded good but it couldn't fit in so I had to make adaptor cables for it....then it started to move around in the case because I had nowhere to glue it down to.... then short out........ so i'm going back to op-amps.

My NOS DAC is a bit smooth sounding so I'm looking for something with a bit of dynamics.

[tanchiro58]

My NOS DAC is a bit smooth sounding so I'm looking for something with a bit of dynamics.

Navi,

My Promitheus DAC sounds smoothly too with Phillips NE5534 op-amps and I need some op-amps that sound more lively and bodily. I also have owned the Altmann Attraction DAC which sounds very good with dynamically, lively and bodily after it had been modified. Did you try different coupling and bypass caps for your NOS DAC? To me if you want your DAC sounds dynamically you got to use metalized polypropylene coupling caps and bypassed it with a pair of good PIO caps like Jensen (I prefer not to use BGs which sound too smoothly). How does the Burson sound?

Tan

[navi]

hey Tan,

The bursons were good- bit more top end detail and more open than the op-amps in the DAC. I did think about changing the bypass caps to something else (Auricaps or some fancy paper in oil cap) but it just seems too much work (i'm getting lazy....i'd rather sit around and have a beer)

Ivan

[rabbitz]

For singles I prefer AD825 (very neutral and digs deep), OPA134 (has bite) and some like the OPA627 (too laid back for me).

The AD825 has to go on an adaptor as it comes in SO-8 unlike the others that are available as DIP-8.

If you want a good signal output cap for a NOS DAC, look at the BlackGate N.... the red suckers... I kid you not. Kicks Auricaps and other $$$$$ caps in the arse for that application. Used in Peter Daniel's NOS DAC (aka AudioZone DAC1) as well as Yeo's NOS Monica.... they swear by them.

[tanchiro58]

For singles I prefer AD825 (very neutral and digs deep), OPA134 (has bite) and some like the OPA627 (too laid back for me).

The AD825 has to go on an adaptor as it comes in SO-8 unlike the others that are available as DIP-8.

If you want a good signal output cap for a NOS DAC, look at the BlackGate N.... the red suckers... I kid you not. Kicks Auricaps and other $$$$$ caps in the arse for that application. Used in Peter Daniel's NOS DAC (aka AudioZone DAC1) as well as Yeo's NOS Monica.... they swear by them.

Rabbitz,

I asked Nicholas at Promitheus Audio to replace the NE5534 op-amps with AD825 op-amps which do not have much bass and the voltage is different. Have you tried the Audiocom AD825 op-amps? Thanks.

http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AC_AD825T1&Category_Code=OPAMPS&Product_Count=0

[navi]

For singles I prefer AD825 (very neutral and digs deep), OPA134 (has bite) and some like the OPA627 (too laid back for me).

The AD825 has to go on an adaptor as it comes in SO-8 unlike the others that are available as DIP-8.

SO-8 for the AD825....... hate soldering those little things..... I'll try the OPA134

Thanks

Ivan

[rabbitz]

Rabbitz,

I asked Nicholas at Promitheus Audio to replace the NE5534 op-amps with AD825 op-amps which do not have much bass and the voltage is different. Have you tried the Audiocom AD825 op-amps? Thanks.

http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AC_AD825T1&Category_Code=OPAMPS&Product_Count=0

I'm not familair with those and I'm not sure that the adding of caps to the adaptor is a smart move. It's commendable that they are trying to get a PS cap close to the power inputs on the op amp but you need to figure in the existing supply and by-pass caps.

I generally modify the existing supply if necessary but most times the existing is fine bar for the change of caps to a better grade or higher value. I used to get my supply of AD825 fitted to BrownDogs off eBay until the supply dried up and later bought them from Soundlabs.
http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/IC-Module-AD825/IC+Module+AD825

They were not short on bass and seemed to go half an octave lower than the OPA2134, NE5532 (was replacing dual op amps). The supplies ranged from ±5V to ±11V. Success depends on the original op amp setup being suitable for modification.... power supply, by-pass, function etc.

[Audiovista]

AD797 looks like a great op-amp. Read little bit more about it yesterday and I'm very impressed. Check it out!

May not be a drop-in replacement though, it needs a few extra part for optimum operation.